What do you do when you need to travel and leave your cat behind? Knowing that a trusted caregiver is watching your precious cat gives you peace of mind when you have to be away. But how do you find someone you can trust? Luckily, many options are available to you, from pet boarding facilities to pet sitters, both professional and more causal like friends or family. Depending on your desires and your cat\u2019s needs, you might be better off boarding your cat outside of your home or hiring someone to look after them in the comfortable surroundings of your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the simplest and more cost-effective options is to ask a good friend, family member, or even a neighbor to look after your cat in your home. Depending on your cat\u2019s needs and personality, you could have someone come by two or three times a day to feed your cat, give medications<\/a>, clean the litter box<\/a>, and play with your cat. You could also ask the caregiver to stay in your home and spend the night so your cat has someone around for company. As a bonus, your family member, friend or neighbor can bring in your mail, water your plants, and take care of other light household chores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a familiar person look after your cat in your home is a great option for shy cats who might become stressed if you were to take them to a boarding facility. It\u2019s also a low-cost option\u2014some good friends or family might watch your cat for free, or you might offer to pay a nominal amount for their help. Taking care of a cat is also a great opportunity for an older, responsible neighbor child looking to earn a little money. If your cat is OK with changes to routine, you could also bring your cat and all of its things to your family member or friend\u2019s home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can board your cat overnight at a pet boarding facility or your veterinary clinic<\/a> if they offer this option. Pet boarding facilities typically have staff caring for the pets for about 10 to 12 hours a day. The pets are usually left alone at night, safe and snug in their enclosures, although some facilities might offer overnight care as well. Most pet boarding facilities offer services for both dogs and cats, but the cats are generally housed in separate quarters from the dogs<\/a> so they aren\u2019t stressed by the sight, smell, and sound of the dogs. Some specialty cat-only boarding facilities are a peaceful oasis for cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pet boarding facilities are a good option for friendly, outgoing cats who won\u2019t become upset by being out of their normal environment. They are also a good choice for cats with special medical needs who need to be observed. If your cat requires medical care or special medication, boarding at a facility with a veterinarian or veterinary technician on staff is helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCat Boarding Facilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n